Panminerva medica
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Despite advancement of therapeutic approaches to recurrent pericarditis, it poses notable challenges to its' management. As per the current guidelines, colchicine is the first line therapy, although, non-conventional treatments like interleukin-1 (IL-1) antagonists (rilonacept, anakinra, goflikicept) are progressively utilized for refractory cases. ⋯ IL-1 antagonists significantly reduce recurrent pericarditis episodes compared to colchicine, with anakinra, rilonacept, and goflikicept demonstrating high efficacy and acceptable safety profiles. These findings support their consideration as alternative therapies in colchicine-refractory cases of recurrent pericarditis. Further studies are warranted to refine treatment guidelines and optimize patient outcomes.
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Prompt reperfusion is critical for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to improve outcomes. Yet, variability in regional healthcare delivery may influence treatment times and patient outcomes. We thus aimed at evaluating differences in management and outcomes of STEMI patients across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, focusing on time-dependent reperfusion and in-hospital logistics. ⋯ This comprehensive nationwide analysis highlights significant regional disparities in the management and treatment timelines of STEMI patients in Italy. Despite these differences, in-hospital care was consistently timely across regions, suggesting that pre-hospital logistics critically influence overall treatment times. Enhanced pre-hospital ECG teletransmission could further optimize reperfusion times, potentially improving patient outcomes.
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Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute reversible heart dysfunction affecting mostly post-menopausal women, frequently precipitated by a significant stressful event, presenting as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The pathogenesis is not fully understood, but a close relationship between individual's mind, brain, neuroendocrine system and the heart may be involved in a mind-heart axis. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of psychopathological findings in TTS patients as compared to healthy subjects, patients affected by psychiatric diseases and patients affected by ACS. ⋯ Psychosocial and psychopathological dimensions of TTS patients have been explored and analyzed in a cohort of TTS patients vs. ACS, healthy subjects and psychiatric patients, showing statistically significant differences among the various groups. Psychopathological symptoms were more frequent in TTS patients, suggesting an evident involvement of mind-heart axis in this disease. Future studies are needed to investigate the cause-effect relationship between psychopathological features and the occurrence of TTS.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints and periarticular soft tissue. The development of joint swelling is traditionally regarded as the starting point of the disease. Emerging evidence indicates that RA patients often experience a preclinical stage characterized by immunological and inflammatory changes before developing the disease. ⋯ This situation underscores the need for reliable biomarkers to guide therapy more effectively, improve personalized treatment approaches and monitoring strategies (i.e. precision medicine). In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of RA, covering new research on the 'pre-clinical' phase of the disease, as well as its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, imaging, and management strategies. It highlights key clinical aspects of RA and addresses ongoing challenges in disease management, particularly in the areas of prevention and treatment.